Paul Sheriff Movies
A native of Moscow, art director Paul Sheriff (born Paul Shouvalov) was one of the best set designers in British films between the 1940s and the mid-'60s. Before entering the British film industry in the late '30s to work as an apprentice of fellow Russian art director Lazare Meerson, Sheriff was an architect and a mining engineer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1941
The Saint's Vacation was filmed in London by RKO Radio's British division. This time Hugh Sinclair is cast as Leslie Charteris' suave soldier of fortune Simon Templar, aka The Saint. Most of the story takes place in Switzerland (or a reasonable facsimile), with Templar interrupting his holiday to retrieve a missing secret code. The key to the mystery is a Swiss music box with a most unusual tune, diligently sought after by enemy agent Rudolph (Cecil Parker) and British secret service operative Valerie (Leueen McGrath). Aiding Templar in his investigation are intrepid gal reporter Mary Langdon (Sally Gray) and droll sidekick Monty Hayward (Arthur Macrae), while Inspector Teal (Gordon MacLeod) of Scotland Yard can only fuss and fume on the sidelines. Tossed off as a mere quota quickie, The Saint's Vacation nonetheless earned good bookings in England and the US. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugh Sinclair, Sally Gray, (more)
- 1945
Originally released in England as The Way to the Stars, Johnny in the Clouds is the story of how the Battle of Britain affected the lives of combatants and civilians alike. Terence Rattigan's screenplay concentrates on three groups of people: an American pilot and his wife, a doomed British officer with a wife and child, and a young couple who plan to marry despite the precariousness of wartime romances. Most of the action takes place at an air base and the neighboring village, where the private citizens react to rationing and other restrictions with various degrees of nobility and selfishness. The American title of this film is derived from the poem "Johnny in the Clouds," recited in tribute to the decease British airman; the U.S. version, which was released after the war, includes a prologue set in the deserted air base, with the bulk of the film offered as a flashback. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Mills, Michael Redgrave, (more)
- 1955
The British omnibus thriller, Three Cases of Murder includes two supernatural tales and a straight whodunit. The first segment, "The Picture," was directed by Wendy Toye, based on a short story by Roderick Wilkinson. A museum tour guide, Jarvis (Hugh Pryse), is plagued by artworks going missing, and by the mysterious repeated breaking of the protective glass over a gloomy landscape painting. Jarvis is fascinated by the dark, foreboding house in the painting. One day while he's admiring it, he bumps into a stranger (Alan Badel, who appears in all three segments). Jarvis ends up following the stranger into the world of the painting with terrifying consequences. Eddie Byrne (General Willard in Star Wars) plays the demented taxidermist, Snyder. In the second segment, "You Killed Elizabeth," written by Sidney Carroll (who co-wrote The Hustler), and directed by David Eady, lifelong friends fall in love with the same woman. George (Emrys Jones) has always stood in Edgar's (John Gregson) shadow. The two have a falling out when they realize they both love Elizabeth (Elizabeth Sellars), and when she later turns up dead, it affects the friendship in a surprising way. Badel plays the friendly bartender, Harry. The final story, "Lord Mountdrago," was based on a story by W. Somerset Maugham. Directed by George More O'Ferrall, the segment stars Orson Welles as Lord Mountdrago, the officious secretary of state for foreign affairs. Mountdrago uses his oratory powers to destroy the career of a charismatic political opponent, Owen (Badel again). Mountdrago then finds himself tormented by the vengeful Owen, who seems to have found a way to enter his dreams. Andre Morrell (Bridge on the River Kwai) plays Mountdrago's baffled psychiatrist. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Badel, Hugh Pryse, (more)
